Protective shell and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a protective shell and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method comprises the following steps: cutting a base material into a shape and a size matched with those of the electronic product; pressing the base material through a mold to obtain a molding material clamped between the first release film and the second release film; the shaping material, the first release film and the second release film are placed in the flexible container, and the flexible container is sealed after air in the flexible container is pumped out; the sealed flexible container is placed in an autoclave and lasts for a preset time under a preset pressure and a preset temperature, the molding material forms a one-piece whole after high-temperature and high-pressure treatment, the one-piece whole comprises a protective shell body and a button surface layer, the protective shell body is used for being arranged on the back face of the electronic product and extending towards the side edge part of the electronic product, and the button surface layer is arranged on the side edge part of the electronic product. The button surface layer is located on the outer surface of the button position of the electronic product, and the thickness of the button surface layer ranges from 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic equipment accessories, and in particular to a protective shell and a method for manufacturing the protective shell. Background Art

[0002] Electronic products such as mobile phones and laptops are usually protected by protective cases. Existing protective cases usually include a cover plate and a frame extending from the cover plate. The cover plate and the frame are usually formed in one piece, and the cover plate and the frame have the same hardness. Some electronic products, such as mobile phones, are provided with buttons. Traditional protective cases often have through holes at positions corresponding to buttons to expose the buttons of electronic products for users to operate. This solution results in the buttons of electronic products not being effectively protected. An existing solution is to add discrete button stickers, such as a sensitizing film, which can be pasted to the buttons for protection. However, this type of discrete button sticker is easy to fall off, resulting in a poor user experience. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a protective shell of an electronic product and a manufacturing method thereof, which can facilitate the operation of buttons of the electronic product and improve the control sensitivity.

[0004] The first aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a protective case, comprising: preparing a base material, comprising cutting the base material into a shape and size matching the electronic product according to the size of the electronic product; material shaping treatment, comprising obtaining a shaping material sandwiched between the first release film and the second release film by mold pressing the base material; vacuum sealing treatment, comprising placing the shaping material, the first release film, and the second release film in a flexible container, and sealing the flexible container after extracting the air in the flexible container; high temperature and high pressure treatment, placing the sealed flexible container in an autoclave at a preset pressure and a preset temperature for a preset time, wherein the shaping material forms a one-piece entity after the high temperature and high pressure treatment, and the one-piece entity comprises a protective case main body and a button surface layer, wherein the protective case main body is used to be arranged on the back of the electronic product and extends to the side portion of the electronic product, and the button surface layer is on the outer surface of the button position of the electronic product, and the thickness of the button surface layer is in the range of 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm.

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the high temperature and high pressure treatment, the preset pressure ranges from 0.3 to 0.9 MPa, the preset temperature ranges from 120 to 130 degrees Celsius, and the preset duration ranges from 10 to 20 minutes.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the high temperature and high pressure treatment, the preset pressure ranges from 0.3 to 0.9 MPa, the preset temperature ranges from 130 to 140 degrees Celsius, and the preset duration ranges from 30 to 50 minutes.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the high temperature and high pressure treatment, the preset pressure range is 0.3~0.9MPa, first at a first preset temperature of 120~130 degrees Celsius for a first preset time of 10~20 minutes, and then at a second preset temperature of 130~140 degrees Celsius for a second preset time of 30~50 minutes.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first release film and the second release film are silicone layers; and the flexible container is a tin foil bag or an aluminum foil bag.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the material shaping process includes: placing the base material on a mold core covered with the first release film, obtaining a first shaping material by mold closing and pressing, and the first release film is located on the first side of the first shaping product; wrapping the second release film on the second side of the first shaping material, and obtaining a second shaping material sandwiched between the first release film and the second release film by mold closing and pressing.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the protective shell body and the sensing button surface layer are formed by the same material layer; after the material is shaped, the thickness of the same material layer at the button surface layer is less than its thickness at the protective shell body.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention: in the step of preparing the base material, the base material includes at least a first material layer and a second material layer, the first material layer is a rigid layer, and the second material layer is a flexible layer; after the high temperature and high pressure treatment, the first material layer and the second material layer are connected together to form a one-piece whole; the rigid layer itself forms the rigid area of ​​the one-piece integral protective shell, or: the overlapping part of the rigid layer and the flexible layer forms the rigid area of ​​the one-piece integral protective shell; the part of the flexible layer that is not overlapped with the rigid layer forms a flexible area, and the flexible area serves as the button surface layer.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the material is being shaped, the flexible layer is located on the inner side or the outer side of the rigid layer.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, during the material shaping process, the flexible layer completely covers the outer surface or the inner surface of the rigid layer.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention: in the step of preparing the base material, it also includes setting a through hole in the rigid layer; in the material shaping processing step, it also includes placing the flexible layer into or covering the through hole; wherein, after the high temperature and high pressure treatment, the area of ​​the flexible layer corresponding to the through hole serves as the flexible area, and the flexible area serves as the button surface layer.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the flexible region is flat or inwardly concave relative to the peripheral region of the rigid region located at the periphery of the flexible region, and the depth of the concave is 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first material layer is an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and the second material layer is an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the same material layer is an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermosetting resin or an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin.

[0018] A second aspect of the present invention provides a protective shell, which is manufactured by the manufacturing method mentioned in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0019] By implementing the present invention, an integrally formed protective shell for an electronic product can be obtained, the protective shell comprising a protective shell body and a button surface layer, wherein the button surface layer is attached to the button position surface of the electronic product; and the effective use thickness range of the button surface layer is limited, so that the user can conveniently operate the button of the electronic product through the protective shell, and the control sensitivity of the button can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without paying any creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a protective shell provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram of material layers of a protective shell provided in a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 An exploded schematic diagram of material layers of a protective shell provided in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an exploded view of material layers of a protective shell provided in a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an exploded view of material layers of a protective shell provided in a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 An exploded schematic diagram of material layers of a protective shell provided in a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 An exploded schematic diagram of material layers of a protective shell provided in a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a partial structure of a protective shell provided by another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a combination of an electronic product and a protective shell provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.10 A schematic flow chart of a method for manufacturing an electronic product protective case provided by the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] It should be understood that when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "include" and "comprises" indicate the presence of described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0024] It should also be understood that the terms used in this specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used in the specification of the present invention and the appended claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include plural forms.

[0025] It should be further understood that the term "and / or" used in the present description and the appended claims refers to any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and includes these combinations.

[0026] like Figure 1 , 9A protective case 100 is shown, which is used for an electronic product 200. The protective case 100 includes a protective case body 20 and a button surface layer 26. The protective case body 20 is arranged on the back of the electronic product 200 and extends toward the side portion of the electronic product. In other words, the protective case body 20 includes a cover plate 21 and a frame 23 extending from the edge of the cover plate; the button surface layer 26 is located on the outer surface of the button position of the electronic product 200. The protective case body 20 and the button surface layer 26 can be connected by a non-integrated molding method or an integrated molding method, and in order to ensure effective inductive contact, the thickness of the button surface layer ranges from 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm.

[0027] The non-integrated molding method refers to a fixing method achieved through secondary processing such as mechanical assembly, bonding / welding, etc., which is different from the inseparable nature of integrated molding.

[0028] An example of a mechanical assembly method is to use artificial fiber material to make the protective shell body, open a through hole on the side of the protective shell body, and set a female fastener at the through hole; use inorganic silicide with a thickness of 0.3mm to make the button surface layer, and set a male fastener on the outer edge of the button surface layer; the female fastener and the male fastener are snap-fitted and assembled. The electronic product protective shell made in this way can support disassembly and replacement, and the research and development process is simpler.

[0029] An example of bonding / welding is to use silicone to make the main body of the protective case, open a through hole on the side of the main body of the protective case, use 1.2mm thick rubber to make the button surface layer, and glue the button surface layer to the through hole. The electronic product protective case made in this way has low requirements on production equipment and does not require additional customized molds.

[0030] One-piece molding means that the manufacturing process can be completed through a set of processes or one process, and the characteristics after molding are generally that it cannot be disassembled without violent disassembly. For example, one-time molding through injection molding, one-time molding through hot melting and hot pressing, etc.

[0031] Example 1 Example 1 provides an example of an integral molding method.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 1, the protective shell 100 of this embodiment includes a cover plate 21 and a frame 23 extending from the edge of the cover plate 21. The protective shell 100 has a rigid area 31 and a flexible area 36, ​​the rigid area 31 forms the protective shell body 20, and the flexible area 36 forms the button surface layer 26. The rigid area 31 is provided with a through hole 24, for example, the through hole 24 is provided in the frame 23, the flexible area 36 is provided in the through hole 24 and is connected to the rigid area 31 in an integrally formed manner to form a one-piece integral protective shell, and the hardness of the flexible area 36 is less than the hardness of the rigid area 31. In this specification and claims, rigidity and flexibility are relative concepts, and the hardness of the flexible area 36 is less than the hardness of the rigid area 31. In order to better define rigidity and flexibility, this specification gives examples by means of materials. In a specific material example, an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin is considered a flexible material after being manufactured into a protective shell, and an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermosetting resin is considered a rigid material after being manufactured into a protective shell; in more material examples, the rigid material can also be a man-made fiber material such as carbon fiber and glass fiber, or metal, hard plastic, inorganic material such as silicide, etc.; and the flexible material can also be silicone, latex, rubber, etc. In a special case, the material of the rigid layer and the flexible layer can be the same, for example, both are thermoplastic elastomers, and the only difference is that the thickness of the rigid layer is greater than that of the flexible layer, so that the hardness of the rigid and flexible layers is relatively comparable.

[0033] The rigid area 31 is used to protect the back and sides of the electronic product, and the flexible area 36 is used to stick to the outer surface of the button of the electronic product when the protective shell body is installed on the electronic product; while the flexible area 36 protects the button of the electronic product, the operating function of the button of the electronic product can also be maintained in the flexible area 36.

[0034] Please refer to Fig. 9 The combination 500 of the electronic product 200 and the protective shell 100 shown, the protective shell 100 can be mounted on the electronic product 200, covering the outer surface of the electronic product 200, and protecting the electronic product 200. A button is provided on the outer surface of the electronic product 200. The flexible area 36 of the protective shell 100 corresponds to the position of the button. After the protective shell 100 is mounted on the electronic product 200, the flexible area 36 is attached to the outer surface of the button to protect the button. The thickness of the flexible area 36 ranges from 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm, so that the operating function of the button is still maintained in the flexible area 36.

[0035] The specific thickness of the flexible region 36 may be 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.2 mm, etc.

[0036] Preferably, the thickness of the flexible area 36 is greater than or equal to 0.2 mm and less than or equal to 0.6 mm. This thickness can not only ensure that the flexible area 36 protects the corresponding function keys and other structures on the electronic device 200, but also does not affect the touch sensitivity of the external operation on the function keys, such as capacitive keys.

[0037] Specifically, the thickness of the flexible region 36 may be 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, etc.

[0038] Preferably, the shape of the flexible area 36 is elliptical, rectangular or rounded rectangular, and the size and area are preferably such that at least the outer surface of the sensing button can be covered. Taking the rectangular or rounded rectangular flexible area 36 as an example, its maximum length ranges from 15 mm to 50 mm, and its maximum width ranges from 2 mm to 12 mm.

[0039] Preferably, the outer surface of the flexible area 36 is flat or concave inward relative to the outer peripheral area of ​​the rigid area 31 located outside the flexible area 36, ​​for example, the depth H of the concave is 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. In this way, the recognition of the flexible area 2 when being touched can be improved without affecting the aesthetics of the protective case 100.

[0040] The depth H can specifically be 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, etc.

[0041] Please refer to Fig.10 , the manufacturing method of the protective shell 100 includes: In step S13, the base material is prepared, including cutting the base material into a shape and size matching the electronic product according to the size of the electronic product.

[0042] Step S15: material shaping processing, including pressing the base material through mold closing to obtain a shaping material sandwiched between the first release film and the second release film.

[0043] The first release film and the second release film are soft materials. In this embodiment, the first release film and the second release film are silicone layers, and the silicone material can be prepared according to the record of the authorization announcement number CN113079238B; however, the release film of the present invention is not limited to this specific silicone material. The base material is placed between the first release film and the second release film, and the molding material sandwiched between the first release film and the second release film is obtained by mold closing and pressing.

[0044] Step S17: vacuum sealing treatment, including placing the shaping material, the first release film, and the second release film in a flexible container, extracting the air in the flexible container and then sealing the flexible container; in this embodiment, the flexible container is a tin foil bag; in an alternative solution, the flexible container may be an aluminum foil bag.

[0045] Step S19: high temperature and high pressure treatment, placing the sealed flexible container in an autoclave, at a preset pressure and a preset temperature for a preset time, the plastic material forms a one-piece entity after the high temperature and high pressure treatment, the one-piece entity includes a protective shell body and a button surface layer, the protective shell body is used to be arranged on the back of the electronic product and extend to the side part of the electronic product, the button surface layer is on the outer surface of the button position of the electronic product, and the thickness of the button surface layer ranges from 0.1mm to 1.2mm.

[0046] In step S19, because the tin foil bag is thinner and softer, it can transfer pressure to the release film more evenly, and squeeze the plastic material therein through the first release film and the second release film, so that the plastic material is further softened and deformed under high pressure and temperature.

[0047] In this embodiment, in the high temperature and high pressure treatment, the preset pressure range of the autoclave is 0.3~0.9MPa, and one of the steps is 120~130 degrees Celsius for 10~20 minutes; in an alternative scheme, the preset pressure range of the autoclave is 0.3~0.9MPa, and one of the steps is 130~140 degrees Celsius for 30~50 minutes; in another scheme, the preset pressure range of the autoclave is 0.3~0.9MPa, first at 120~130 degrees Celsius for 10~20 minutes, and then at 130~140 degrees Celsius for 30~50 minutes.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the sealed flexible container is heated from the initial temperature to 125 degrees Celsius and maintained for 15 minutes, and then heated to 135 degrees Celsius and maintained for 40 minutes in the autoclave.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, step S15 includes two shaping processes. First, the base material is placed on the mold core with the first release film laid thereon, and the first shaping material is obtained by mold closing and pressing, wherein the first release film is located on the first side of the first shaping product; then, the second release film is coated on the second side of the first shaping material, and the second shaping material is obtained by mold closing and pressing; the second shaping material is located between the first release film and the second release film.

[0050] In the step of preparing the base material, the base material includes at least a first material layer and a second material layer, the first material layer is a rigid layer, and the second material layer is a flexible layer; after the high temperature and high pressure treatment, the first material layer and the second material layer are connected together to form a one-piece whole; the rigid layer itself forms the rigid area 31 of the one-piece integral protective shell, or: the overlapping part of the rigid layer and the flexible layer forms the rigid area 31 of the one-piece integral protective shell; the part of the flexible layer that is not overlapped with the rigid layer forms a flexible area 36, ​​and the flexible area 36 serves as the button surface layer 26.

[0051] Example 2 Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the electronic product protective shell 100 can be formed by connecting a first material layer 41 and a second material layer 42. The first material layer 41 is a rigid layer, and the rigid layer is provided with a through hole 24; the second material layer 42 is a flexible layer, and the overlapping portion of the rigid layer and the flexible layer forms the rigid area 31 of the one-piece integral protective shell; the portion of the flexible layer corresponding to the through hole forms the flexible area 36. The second material layer 44 completely covers the first material layer 41. That is, the flexible layer completely covers the outer surface or the inner surface of the rigid layer.

[0052] After high temperature and high pressure treatment, the first material layer 41 and the second material layer 42 are connected together to form a one-piece integral body. The overlapped portion of the rigid layer and the flexible layer forms the rigid region 31 of the one-piece integral protective shell 100; the portion of the flexible layer not overlapped with the rigid layer forms the flexible region 36, which serves as the button surface layer 26.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first material layer 41 is an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and the second material layer 42 is an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin. During the high temperature and high pressure treatment process, the relevant substances in the two layers of materials melt, flow to a specific position under the action of pressure or mold, and then solidify under the influence of temperature or pressure, forming an integral body between the two layers of materials that cannot be separated under non-violent intervention. This inseparable integral body is also called a "one-piece integral body".

[0054] In this embodiment, in the step of preparing the base material, a through hole 24 is provided in the rigid layer. In the step of shaping the material, a flexible layer is placed on or covers the through hole 24. After high temperature and high pressure treatment, the area of ​​the flexible layer corresponding to the through hole 24 is used as a flexible area 36, ​​and the flexible area 36 is used as the button surface layer 26.

[0055] In this embodiment, the first material layer 41 is completely covered by the second material layer 42. In an alternative solution, the first material layer 41 is partially covered by the second material layer 42. In another alternative solution, the first material layer 41 is not covered by the second material layer 42, that is, the second material layer 42 is arranged in the region of the through hole 24 of the first material layer 41, and solidifies together with the first material layer 41 under the influence of temperature or pressure in a subsequent high temperature and high pressure treatment step.

[0056] Example 3 Please refer to Figure 3 The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 2 is that the one-piece integral protective shell is formed by at least a first material layer 41, a second material layer 42, and a third material layer 43 connected together; the first material layer and the third material layer are at least partially overlapped and form the rigid area 31; the second material layer is located at the position of the through hole 24 to form the flexible area 36, ​​and the rigid area 31 is connected to the edge of the flexible area 36.

[0057] Specifically, the first material layer 41 and the third material layer 43 are respectively provided with a first opening 24a and a second opening 24b, and the first opening 24a and the second opening 24b together form a through hole 24. The first opening 24a and the second opening 24b have the same shape and size, and overlap each other. The shape and size of the second material layer 42 are the same as those of the first opening 24a and the second opening 24b, and overlap each other. The size of the second material layer 42 is larger than that of the first opening 24a and the second opening 24b. In this way, the second material layer 42 is arranged between the first opening 24a and the second opening 24b, and can be connected to the first material layer 41 and the third material layer 43. Because a part of the area of ​​the second material layer 42 is pre-covered to the first material layer 41 and the third material layer 43, the three can stably maintain relative positions during the manufacturing process.

[0058] Example 4 Please refer to Figure 4 , this embodiment and Figure 3 The difference of the embodiment 3 shown is that the sizes of the first opening 24a and the second opening 24b are different. One of the first opening 24a and the second opening 24b is a large hole, and the other is a small hole. The second material layer 42 is disposed in the large hole, and the size of the second material layer 42 is larger than the size of the small hole. Because a part of the area of ​​the second material layer 42 is covered on the third material layer 43 in advance, the two can stably maintain relative positions during the manufacturing process.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 5In an alternative solution, the first opening 24a is a large hole, and the second opening 24b is a small hole. The second material layer 42 is disposed in the large hole, and the size of the second material layer 42 is larger than the size of the small hole. Because a portion of the area of ​​the second material layer 42 is pre-covered to the first material layer 41, the two can stably maintain relative positions during the manufacturing process.

[0060] The large holes and small holes mentioned here are relative size concepts. In a preferred example, both the large holes and the small holes have rectangular holes, and the width of the large hole is equivalent to the width of the small hole, but the length of the large hole is at least 1 / 10-1 / 5 longer than that of the small hole.

[0061] Understandably, when preparing this protective case, in the step of preparing the base material, it is necessary to open the first opening 24a in the first material layer 41, open the second opening 24b in the third material layer 43, and cut the required second material layer 42; in the material shaping step, the three material layers are laid in corresponding positions so that the second material layer 42 can be pre-positioned by partially overlapping with the first material layer 41 or the third material layer 43. After high temperature and high pressure treatment, the first material layer 41, the second material layer 42, and the third material layer 43 are fixedly connected to form a one-piece whole.

[0062] Example 5 Please refer to Figure 6 , this embodiment and Figure 3 The difference of the embodiment 3 shown is that the first opening 24a of the first material layer 41 is a small hole, and the second opening 24b of the third material layer 43 is a large hole. The size of the second material layer 42 is larger than the size of the large hole. The second material layer 42 is arranged between the first opening 24a and the second opening 24b, and is connected with the first material layer 41 and the third material layer 43 to form a whole. Because a part of the area of ​​the second material layer 42 is covered in advance to the first material layer 41 and the third material layer 43, the two can stably maintain relative positions during the manufacturing process.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 7 In an alternative solution, the first openings 24a of the first material layer 41 are large holes, and the second openings 24b of the third material layer 43 are small holes.

[0064] Understandably, when preparing this protective shell, in the step of preparing the base material, it is necessary to open the first opening 24a in the first material layer 41, open the second opening 24b in the third material layer 43, and cut the required second material layer 42; in the material shaping step, the second material layer 42 is laid between the first material layer 41 and the third material layer 43, so that the second material layer 42 can be pre-positioned by partially overlapping with the first material layer 41 or the third material layer 43. After high temperature and high pressure treatment, the first material layer 41, the second material layer 42, and the third material layer 43 are fixedly connected to form a one-piece whole.

[0065] Example 6 Example 6 provides an example of how to achieve one-piece molding by thickness comparison.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 8 The electronic product protective shell 100 of this embodiment is a one-piece integral protective shell, which is formed by a fifth material layer 45 (such as a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyurethane material), and a rigid region 31 and a flexible region 36 are formed by thickness changes, and the thickness of the flexible region 36 is less than the thickness of the rigid region 31, so that the thickness of the flexible region 36 is less than its thickness in the rigid region 31. Preferably, the rigid region 31 forms the protective shell body, and the rigid region 31 is equivalent to setting a through hole 24 at a position corresponding to the button of the electronic product, and the flexible region 36 is set at the through hole 24 and connected with the rigid region 31 in an integrally formed manner to form a one-piece whole.

[0067] Preferably, the thickness of the flexible area 36 is 0.2 mm, and the thickness of the rigid area 31 is 1.0 mm. In this way, the material of the entire electronic product protective case 100 is kept consistent, greatly improving the aesthetics of the product; and it can be made in one piece through an injection molding process, with relatively low equipment cost requirements.

[0068] The protective shell body and the button surface layer of this embodiment are formed by the same material layer. After the material shaping process, the thickness of the material layer at the button surface layer is less than its thickness at the protective shell body. In one embodiment, the material layer is an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermosetting resin. In an alternative solution, the material layer is an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin.

[0069] In some embodiments, the button comprises a sensing button, such as a capacitive sensing button.

[0070] In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a mobile phone, the sensing button includes a shooting button, the protective shell is provided with a side wall for surrounding the side of the mobile phone, and the flexible area is provided on the side wall; the flexible area is provided corresponding to the shooting button on the mobile phone, so that the shooting button can be operated through the flexible area. The shooting button is electrically connected to the main control of the electronic device, such as a microprocessor unit, and the shooting button can convert the pressing operation and / or touching operation of the shooting button by the user into an electrical signal and transmit it to the microprocessor unit, so that the microprocessor unit controls the camera component and other related functional components of the electronic device to work, thereby realizing at least one of the functions such as camera opening and closing, focus adjustment, shooting, video recording, etc.

[0071] In some embodiments, the flexible area is formed with a recognizable portion. The provision of the recognizable portion can improve the efficiency and reliability of the flexible area being recognized, thereby improving the operating efficiency and reliability of the electronic device. Among them, the recognizable portion can be achieved by convex or concavely setting the flexible area relative to the rigid area, or by setting the flexible area and the rigid area to have different textures, different colors, different reflectivity, etc. For example, the outer surface of the flexible area can be subjected to surface treatment such as fluorescent treatment so that the user can notice the flexible area at the first time. In a specific embodiment, a fluorescent agent is added to the material layer of the flexible area to help the user better notice the existence of the flexible area in a dark environment.

[0072] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, and these modifications or replacements should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a protective shell, characterized in that: include: Preparing a base material, including cutting the base material into a shape and size matching the electronic product according to the size of the electronic product; Material shaping treatment, including pressing the base material through mold closing to obtain a shaping material sandwiched between the first release film and the second release film; Vacuum sealing treatment, including placing the shaping material, the first release film, and the second release film in a flexible container, and sealing the flexible container after extracting the air in the flexible container; High temperature and high pressure treatment, placing the sealed flexible container in an autoclave at a preset pressure and temperature for a preset time, wherein the plastic material forms a one-piece integral body after the high temperature and high pressure treatment, and the one-piece integral body comprises a protective shell body (20) and a button surface layer (26), wherein the protective shell body (20) is used to be arranged on the back of the electronic product and extends to the side portion of the electronic product, and the button surface layer (26) is located on the outer surface of the button position of the electronic product, and the thickness of the button surface layer (26) ranges from 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm.

2. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the high temperature and high pressure treatment, the preset pressure ranges from 0.3 to 0.9 MPa, the preset temperature ranges from 120 to 130 degrees Celsius, and the preset duration ranges from 10 to 20 minutes.

3. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The preset pressure ranges from 0.3 to 0.9 MPa, the preset temperature ranges from 130 to 140 degrees Celsius, and the preset duration ranges from 30 to 50 minutes.

4. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first release film and the second release film are silicone layers; the flexible container is a tin foil bag or an aluminum foil bag.

5. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material shaping process comprises: Placing the base material on a mold core covered with the first release film, and obtaining a first shaping material by mold closing and pressing, wherein the first release film is located on a first side of the first shaping material; The second release film is coated on the second side of the first plastic material, and the second plastic material sandwiched between the first release film and the second release film is obtained by mold closing and pressing.

6. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective shell body and the button surface layer are formed by the same material layer (45); after the material is shaped, the thickness of the same material layer (45) on the button surface layer (26) is smaller than its thickness on the protective shell body.

7. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the step of preparing the base material, the base material comprises at least a first material layer (41) and a second material layer (42), the first material layer (41) is a rigid layer, and the second material layer (42) is a flexible layer; After the high temperature and high pressure treatment, the first material layer (41) and the second material layer (42) are connected together to form a one-piece integral body; the rigid layer itself forms the rigid region (31) of the one-piece integral protective shell, or: the portion where the rigid layer overlaps with the flexible layer forms the rigid region (31) of the one-piece integral protective shell; the portion where the flexible layer does not overlap with the rigid layer forms a flexible region (36), and the flexible region (36) serves as the button surface layer (26).

8. The manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the material is being shaped, the flexible layer is located inside or outside the rigid layer.

9. The manufacturing method according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the material is being shaped, the flexible layer completely covers the outer surface or the inner surface of the rigid layer.

10. The manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that: In the step of preparing the base material, it also includes providing a through hole (24) in the rigid layer; In the material shaping process step, the step further includes placing the flexible layer on or covering the through hole (24); Wherein, after the high temperature and high pressure treatment, the area of ​​the flexible layer corresponding to the through hole (24) serves as the flexible area (36), and the flexible area (36) serves as the button surface layer (26).

11. The manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The outer surface of the flexible region (36) is flat or inwardly concave relative to an outer peripheral region located outside the flexible region in the rigid region, and the concave depth is 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

12. The manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first material layer (41) is an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and the second material layer (42) is an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin.

13. The manufacturing method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The same material layer (45) is an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermosetting resin or an aramid fiber material pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin.

14. A protective shell, characterized in that: Made according to the manufacturing method described in any one of 1 to 13.

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